While Caitlin Clark won’t be playing in the All-Star Game or 3-point contest because of injury, it should still be a thrilling weekend in Indianapolis. The rosters are set, including injury replacements Brittney Sykes and Brionna Jones. What might we see on the court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse? Here are some predictions ahead of Friday’s 3-point and skills contests, and Saturday’s All-Star Game.
Sabrina Ionescu, Sonia Citron will wreak havoc from the 4-point circles
As it did in 2022 and 2023, the WNBA is including 4-point circles as part of this year’s rules. The court will feature four 4-point shot zones, two on each half of the court, above the 3-point line. They add 6 feet of distance from the 3-point line.
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Sabrina Ionescu and Sonia Citron have shown that they can hit 3s from well behind the arc when the pressure is on. In a game like this, when the only pressure is fun pressure? This should be a blast. Both women are on Team Clark, and their 4-point shots should run the score up, even without Clark in the fold. Speaking of…
Kelsey Mitchell will win the MVP
Playing for Indiana since 2018, Kelsey Mitchell has been the best player on some Fever teams that have struggled. She played in her first career playoff game in 2024, when the Fever fell to the Sun in the first round.
But now, playing in front of the home crowd, Mitchell has been averaging 19.3 points per game, and she just became Indiana’s all-time leader in made 3s. She has the ability to get hot and take over games. Something tells me this game, where she’ll have that hometown support as part of Team Clark, is the one where she will rise above the rest.
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‘Line change’ substitutions will cause hilarious chaos
Fouls aren’t usually a huge part of All-Star Games, and this one will feature no free throws. Any fouls will result in “made” free throws without anyone actually shooting. The shot clock will also be just 20 seconds, so expect a very fast-moving game. That means there will be fewer game stoppages, so the WNBA is instituting live game substitutions, similar to line changes in hockey games.
There are still rules around the subs:
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Only the offensive team may make live-play substitutions, and only one player substitution is permitted per possession
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One player can exit the court, and another can enter onto the court only while their team has possession of the ball in the backcourt
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The players exiting and entering the court must do so in the backcourt between the 28-foot mark and the half-court line
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The player entering the court may not touch the ball in the backcourt
Considering this is the first time the league is instituting this method, and there will be a fast shot clock? It seems like a recipe for hilarity — the game will move quickly, there will be confusion, and it’ll be great.
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Team Phee will have some fun UConn moments
With Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart and Paige Bueckers playing on Collier’s team, different eras of UConn basketball will come together. If you’re a Huskie fan and have dreamed about watching Stewie, Paige and Phee set each other up to score, you’re in luck.
But that’s not the only college linkup to watch. South Carolina “Fams” will get to see Aliyah Boston and A’ja Wilson together in the post, and Notre Dame fans can relive the days when Kayla McBride and Skylar Diggins played together. There were hopes of an Oregon reunion for Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally, but Sabally dropped out of the game on Wednesday night due to injury.
The Lunar Owls will remind us why they were so much fun to watch during Unrivaled
Just a few months ago, we were watching Collier, Diggins, Courtney Williams, Allisha Gray and Shakira Austin yell “Hooty hoooo!” after winning games in Unrivaled. Now, all except Austin are not only All-Stars, but part of Team Phee. They know how to play well together, and we should see some fun plays develop. Maybe we’ll even see them flap their wings and yell “Hooty hooooo” again. Either way, Unrivaled will have a large presence all weekend long.
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Injuries will loom large this weekend
It’s unfortunate, but it’s true. Already, three All-Stars, Clark, Rhyne Howard and Sabally, are missing the All-Star Game to focus on their health. Angel Reese missed the Sky’s last game before the All-Star break. Others, like Wilson, are coming back from injuries that could use more time to heal. Player health has been an issue all season long, and will likely be one of many talking points during CBA meetings in Indianapolis.
Clark missing the game is especially a bummer as she would have played in front of her home crowd and competed in her first 3-point contest. Injuries have spoiled much of her season, and it makes sense for her to take time to recover before the gauntlet of the second half of the season; the Fever will need her if they’re going to make a playoff push. But all of these injuries cast a big cloud over what should be a fun weekend for the league.
